Mukesh Kumar joins Akash Deep in race for NZ Test squad

Mukesh Kumar has emerged as a contender for the New Zealand series after a strong showing in the Irani Cup. He and Bengal pacer Akash Deep, whose inclusion in the red-ball squad for New Zealand .

The management of the Gautam Gambhir-led team considered Akash Deep to be essential to India's chances in New Zealand. Now, it appears that the management also wants the selectors to consider Mukesh, a 32-year-old seamer who has played three Tests, six ODIs, and 17 T20Is in a year since making his international debut in July 2023.

Head coach Gautam Gambhir closely monitored the performances of the two Bengal pacers, who contributed to Rest of India's stunning comeback victory in the Irani Cup on Sunday (October 4) in Srinagar. Gambhir is expected to provide feedback to the four-member selection committee led by Pragyan Ojha.

Mukesh took eight wickets in Rest of India's 167-run victory, while Akash took six in the match. For the two Tests, which are part of the World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, the two experienced seamers ought to be a part of the 16- or 17-member red ball squad along with Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Gurnoor Brar.

Anyway, the two Tests are at the end of the 45-day tour from October 22 to December 1, which also includes five T20Is and five ODIs. There is optimism that Prasidh, who has been making rapid progress in international cricket recently, will recover for the red ball, if not the white ball leg.

Needless to say, his selection will be contingent on receiving clearance from the Centre of Excellence, to which he was sent after suffering a hamstring injury in the second One-Day International against the West Indies on September 30 in Guwahati.

Meanwhile, Ajit Agarkar's official tenure as chief selector ended on Sunday. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has made an interim arrangement since his contract has expired.

Pragyan Ojha is in charge of the selection committee, which is expected to meet sometime next week to select the teams for the New Zealand tour. Until a new selector is identified, it will not be clear whether this is a full-time or temporary arrangement. In the interim, the committee will consist of four members.

On Monday, the Indian T20I team will gather in Lucknow ahead of the first of five T20I matches against the West Indies. The majority of squad members expected to have arrived in India on Sunday will participate in their practice session on Monday evening in Lucknow. The first Twenty20 International is scheduled for October 6th.